When you pay for insurance coverage, you expect that that the insurance company will do what you are paying it to do – provide protection in the event of an emergency. If you file a valid claim for something covered by your insurance company, failure to meet the terms of the contract is insurance bad faith. In some circumstances, this is grounds to file a civil claim against the provider.
If you need to file a claim with your insurance company, you are probably dealing with some type of emergency situation. Perhaps you suffered significant property damage in a car accident, or a storm led to serious damage to your home. No matter what your situation entails, you have the right to fight for the insurance payment necessary to cover your losses and get the repairs you need.
Why do insurance companies deny claims?
You may not know for sure why the insurance company denied your claim, but it can help to remember that insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. Their ultimate goal is to protect their own bottom line, and sometimes, this comes at the expense of consumers. Some of the most common reasons why your claim may come back denied include:
- The insurance company may claim that your specific type of policy or your insurance company does not cover the issue in your claim.
- The insurance company may deny your claim because you did not notify the insurance company of your claim in the specific time frame.
- The insurance company may state that there were errors in the application or issues that would nullify your claim.
If any of these reasons or others are not accurate, you can fight back. It may be reasonable and appropriate to sue the insurance company if the insurer did not adequately investigate your claim, failed to respond to your claim in a reasonable time frame, failed to defend you in a liability lawsuit and more.
Know your options
Dealing with insurance companies is complex. It can be especially difficult when the company denies a claim that you know is legitimate and covered by your policy. If you think that you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the insurance company, you will benefit from working with an experienced Oklahoma attorney. An evaluation of your case and explanation of the legal options available to you can help you know how to move forward.